Math Forums @ Math Goodies - Plz help, slope of tgnt line to curve graphically

testing header

Math Goodies is a free math help portal for students, teachers, and parents.

| More

Interactive Math Goodies Software

Math Forums @ Math Goodies

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Homework Help Forums

Pre-Calculus and Calculus

Plz help, slope of tgnt line to curve graphically

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

boousaf
Junior Member

USA
6 Posts

Posted - 09/26/2007 : 00:25:50

I just plain dont understand the wording here, please shed some light if you can. Consider function to be g(x);

a) Find the values by observing the slope of tangent line to curve graphically:
a) g ' (-1) b) g ' (0) c) g ' (0.5) d) g ' (1)

b) use the four points found in a to sketch graph of g ' (x)

boousaf
Junior Member

USA
6 Posts

Posted - 09/26/2007 : 00:27:59

Sorry wrong link

tkhunny
Advanced Member

USA
1001 Posts

Posted - 09/26/2007 : 08:46:14

You just look at it. Sketch the tangent line at each x-value and estimate the slope.

boousaf
Junior Member

USA
6 Posts

Posted - 09/26/2007 : 16:32:27

thx guys, I appreciate the responses very much!~

HallsofIvy
Advanced Member

USA
78 Posts

Posted - 10/02/2007 : 07:25:18

Back when I was in school, I learned to draw the tangent to a curve this way: Hold a small pocket mirror at the point on the curve where you want to draw the tangent. Rotate the mirror until the curve appears to go smoothly into its reflection- no sharp corner. Hold the mirror there and use the edge of the mirror to draw the line PERPENDICULAR to the curve. Now do the same thing with that line: rotate the mirror until the line appears to go smoothly into its image and use the mirror as a straight edge to draw the TANGENT line.

someguy
Advanced Member

Canada
129 Posts

Posted - 10/02/2007 : 16:53:45

That's an interesting method. I have never heard of it but I like it.

Topic